Page 87 of Claimed By the Deputies

They understand me in ways I can barely understand myself. Shaking my head slowly, I arrive at the one conclusion I was sure I wasn’t ready to consider.

“I’m pregnant.”

The room becomes so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The three men stand still, each with eyes wide, their gazes drilling deep into my soul as the words sink in.

“Pregnant,” Lucas says, his voice but a whisper. “Are you sure?”

“Oh, yes. No doubt about it.” I suck in a deep breath before continuing. “I took the test. Tests. Plural. The symptoms are all there, impossible to deny. I mean, we weren’t exactly careful about it.”

“No, we were not,” Mitch replies, a smile blooming across his face. “But with everything that’s been going on, the possibility of it was the furthest thing from my mind.”

“I don’t want anything from any of you. Don’t think for a second that I would dare disrupt your lives any more than I already have?—”

“Tassia, hold on,” Tyler comes closer and drops to his knees in front of me. “Stop right there. Don’t even think about it.”

“About what?” I mumble.

“About playing the ‘strong and independent woman who doesn’t want to impose’ card, because that’s not going to work. Not with us,” he says.

I give them a confused look, fearful tears welling up. “Like I said, we didn’t plan it, it happened, but I take my share of the responsibility, and I don’t want you to feel trapped in any way?—”

“Trapped?” Lucas scoffs. “Are you kidding? Tassia, I know we’re not that good at showing it right now because of the obvious shock and timing, but we’re elated.”

“Elated,” I whisper.

“We’re having a kid,” Mitch chuckles. “We’re happy about it. That is,” he pauses and checks himself, “if you’re happy about it.”

“I am happy about it,” I admit for the first time.

Next thing I know, all three are kneeling before me, their gazes soft and their smiles beaming with warmth, the kind of warmth that soothes my soul and makes me feel like I’m the luckiest girl in the world. All of my fears begin to dissolve with every breath I take. A smile of my own blossoms, lifting my cheeks.

“It’s our kid,” Tyler declares. “Doesn’t matter who contributed the genetic material. It’sourkid, Tassia. Yours and ours.”

“I’m going to keep saying this until you no longer doubt it, not even for a second. You are not alone, baby. You’ll never be alone again,” Lucas adds.

Nodding slowly, a different kind of tear rolls down my cheek. It’s one of relief, of joy. It is comfort in their presence and reassurance. “I know. I think I knew it already but hearing you say it out loud helps.”

Mitch reaches out and cups my face in his palm. “You’re our happy accident, Tassia. You and the little one,” he says, glancingdown at my belly. “If ever we needed an even greater reason to rid this town of its demons, well, you just gave it to us.”

“It’s going to be hard,” I remind them. “If Trevor finds out about this, there’s no telling what he’ll do. The man will never relinquish his control over me. He said so himself.”

“Baby, he lost control the minute he sold you out to the cops and had you thrown in prison for a crime you didn’t commit,” Lucas grimly reminds me. “He just hasn’t come to terms with it.”

“Not yet, but we’re going to help him,” Tyler says, pulling me into a kiss.

It tastes different, it feels different. It is wildly assertive, lighting a devastating fire within me.

All of a sudden, the world around us disappears like wisps of smoke into the night as I let go of my fear of facing the unknown by myself. Tyler takes me into his arms and lifts me from the armchair.

I lose myself in his kiss, his lips crushing mine.

Lucas nibbles on the side of my neck, his wet, hot tongue trailing invisible lines, exploring every inch of my skin, while Mitch quietly removes my clothes. It’s a controlled effort that leaves me naked and wanting so much more.

“You’re our woman,” Tyler whispers against my lips. “And nothing is going to change that.”

“Oh, Tyler,” I moan and kiss him back.

I press my breasts against his broad chest, briefly annoyed by the fabric of his shirt between us. He takes it off with one swift move and we’re skin on skin, the sweetest sensation.

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